It was a real honour to be invited to speak at the Eastbourne Historical Society’s 2024 AGM, held yesterday. This is a very active society full of researchers, historians and writers whose lives revolve around the eastern bays of Port Nicholson, and yes, I felt a decided frisson in the meeting being held on the edge of what was Ōkiwi Bay, the stomping ground of my man, Ōkiwi Brown, himself. Or their man Ōkiwi Brown, I should say. They were a delightful audience, many bought a copy of my book and I do hope they jump right into the text and start arguing with it. I’ve already had one great lead to follow up – ‘who shot Burke’s wife?’ was a question from the floor I couldn’t answer (love those) but has me buzzing now. I’ve posted a transcript of the talk, here: Turning History into Fiction.
If anyone else out there is fascinated by Scottish murderers Burke & Hare –particularly William Hare’s whereabouts after he was dropped off a cart south of Dumfries in 1829 and his subsequent possible connection with colonial New Zealand – please read my story of Ōkiwi Brown, and if you have anything to add, my ears will be waggling.
History is never over.
(Thanks for the photo Maggy Rainey-Smith!)
Cristina Sanders' blog 